Tile assembly

ABSTRACT

A tile consists of two outer layers and an inner layer arranged in parallelism. One of the outer layers is larger than the other outer layer, while the smaller outer layer is larger than the inner layer. A slot surrounds the edges of the inner layer and has a width at least equal to the thickness of the smaller outer layer. Cooperating coupling devices are provided on the smaller outer layer and the inner layer so that when two similar tiles are assembled with the smaller outer layer of one tile extending into the slot of the other tile, the coupling device on the inserted smaller outer layer cooperates with that on the adjacent inner layer to inhibit movements of the tiles in directions other than that to move the coupling devices apart.

United States Patent Paulke Feb. 18, 1975 TILE ASSEMBLY Inventor: HeinzPaulke, Luebbecke No. 237, j mf z gf i i J 4995 Levern Kreis, German Sma ammer" es 1 l y Attorney, Agent, or FirmMlchael S. Striker Filed: Feb.1, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A tile consists of two outer layers and an innerlayer App]. No.: 328,629

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 3, 1972 arranged inparallelism. One of the outer layers is G 2205004 larger than the otherouter layer, while the smaller outer layer is larger than the innerlayer. A slot surrounds the edges of the inner layer and has a width atleast equal to the thickness of the smaller outer layer.

[52] US. Cl. 52/593 [51] int. Cl. E04c 1/10, E04c 1/30 [58] FieldofSearch....................... 52/570, 592-594 Cooperating p g devicesare provided on the smaller outer layer and the inner layer so that whentwo similar tiles are assembled with the smaller outer layer of one tileextending into the slot of the other tile, the coupling device on theinserted smaller outer [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS52/570 layer cooperates with that on the adjacent inner layer 52/593 toinhibit movements of the tiles in directions other FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS than that to move the coupling devices apart. 1,379 11,691

l,799,3 l3 4/1931 Paulson et al. 2,708,329 5/1931 52 570 k 10 Claims, 4Drawing Figures 6/1854 Great Bntam 2/1908 Great Britain.........

TILE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relatesgenerally to tiles, panels and the like such as are used for erectingwalls or ceilings or for providing decorative coverings thereon. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to tiles or panels of this typewhich are composed of two spaced outer laycomplicated or expensivesupport assemblies for larger span lengths and widths.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tile having goodinsulating properties.

In accordance with these and other objects. the invention provides atile which comprises a first plate-like section having a peripheralportion and a second plateers and an inner layer interposed between theouter layers, the dimensions of the inner layer being smaller than thoseof either of the outer layers so that a recess or groove is definedbetween the outer layers.

The known tiles of this type have the disadvantage that, in theconstruction of walls and the like, special dowel plates are requiredfor connecting adjacent tiles. These dowel plates are inserted in therecesses formed between the outer layers of the tiles. The use of suchdowel plates increases the difficulty of erecting walls and the like. Inaddition, a wall, ceiling or the like made in this manner has relativelylow strength since the adjacent edges of neighboring tiles are flushwith one another and, as a result, the strength of the wall or ceilingis dependent solely upon the strengths of the relatively thin dowelplates which connect adjacent tiles. Thus, the possible applications ofthe known tiles are severely restricted.

Furthermore, ceilings or ceiling covers made in the above manner are notself-supporting. Consequently, complicated support structures arenecessary for supporting such ceilings or ceiling covers. These supportstructures are not only complicated but are also expensive, especiallywhere the span length or width of the ceiling or ceiling cover is large.

The German published application No. 2,001,799 discloses a square tilewhich includes two outer layers and an inner layer. A slot completelysurrounds the edges of the inner layer. The width of the slot isapproximately equal to the thickness of one of the outer layers and thecorners of this outer layer are bevelled or chamfered so that the shapeof the outer layer approxi mates that of the inner layer. Thus, when twosimilar tiles are assembled, the shaped outer layer of one tile isinserted into the slot of the other tile so that the bevelled edges ofthe inserted outer layer are able to abut the edges of the inner layer.

It has how been found that when such tiles are assembled, the tiles areable to shift relative to one another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the inventionto provide a tile such that, when two or more tiles are assembled,relative movements of the tiles during and after assembly are minimized.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tile which may bequickly and easily assembled with other tiles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tile which does notrequire special connecting devices in order to be securely assembledwith other tiles.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a tile which, whenassembled with other tiles, forms a structure having high strength andgood load-carrying ability.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a tile which, whenassembled with other tiles, forms a structure which is self-supportingfor relatively large span lengths and widths and which does not requirelike section spaced from and substantially parallel to the firstsection, the second section encompassing the first section,and at leastin part extending outwardly beyond the peripheral portion. Anintermediate section is interposed between the first and second sectionsand includes a marginal portion, and the first section encompasses theintermediate section and at least in part extends outwardly beyond themarginal portion. Thus, a slot is defined intermediate the first andsecond sections in the region of the marginal portion. The slotsurrounds at least a part of the marginal portion and has a width atleast equal to the thickness of the first section. Cooperating couplingportions are respectively provided on the first and intermediatesections. When the tile is assembled with another similar tile, thefirst section of one tile extends into the slot of the other tile andthe first section of the one tile lies adjacent the intermediate sectionof the other tile. As a result, the coupling portion of thethus-inserted first section and that of the adjacent intermediatesection cooperate to inhibit movements of the tiles in directions otherthan that to move the coupling portions apart.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a top view of a tileaccording to the invention:

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tile of FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a top view of an assembly wherein four of the tiles of FIGS. 1and 2 are assembled with a similar fifth tile: and

FIG. 4 is a view along section IV-IV of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and2, a tile or panel according to the invention is indicated generally at11. The tile 11 is seen to include three layers, an outer layer or firstplate-like section 3, another outer layer or second plate-like section 1and an inner layer or intermediate section 5. As shown in FIG. 2, therespective layers 1, 3 and 5 are arranged in substantial parallelism.The layers 1 and 5, as well as the layers 3 and 5, may be connected withone another by using any suitable connecting means, for example,adhesive means. Of course, it is possible for the layer 1 to be soconfigurated that certain portions of the layer 1 have a thicknesssufficient to abut the layer 3, or vice versa, so that the layers I and3 may be directly connected with each other, in which case it may bepossible for the layer 5 to be supported without connecting it to thelayers 1 and 3. On the other hand, it is also contemplated that thelayers 1, 3 and 5 may be integral.

The layer 1, here shown as having a square outline, includes a pluralityof facets or edge faces 12 which meet at the corners or corner portions13 thereof. The layer 1 may have any arbitrary polygonal outline or, ingeneral, may have any outline desired. The facets 12 together define theperiphery or peripheral portion 14 of the layer 1. The layer 1 issufficiently large to encompass the layer 3, that is, the layer 1 is solarge that the layer 3 may be superimposed thereon without any portionof the layer 3 extending beyond the facets 12 of the layer 1. As shown,part of the layer 1 extends outwardly beyond the periphery or peripheralportion 15 of the layer 3 or, in other words, part of the periphery 14of the layer 1 extends outwardly beyond the periphery 15 of the layer 3.It is also possible for the entire periphery 14 of the layer 1 to extendoutwardly of the periphery 15 of the layer 3. The periphery 15 of thelayer 3 comprises facets, edge faces or edges 31, and some of the edges31 are shown as being flush with, i.e., in the same plane as, the facets12 of the layer 1. However, this is not necessary. Other of the edges 31of the layer 3 are located inwardly adjacent to the corners 13 of thelayer 1 or, in other words, these edges 31 are encompassed by theperiphery 14 of the layer 1. The inwardly located edges 31 of the layer3 are here shown as being inclined with respect to the facets 12 of thelayer 1. The inclined edges 31 of the layer 3 are provided with at leastone coupling portion which is here shown as a recess or indentation 32.In the embodiment shown, the recess 32 is V-shaped and the apex of therecess 32 is right angular. Also, the recess 32 is preferably centeredwith respect to the length of its respective inclined edge 31. However,the apex of the recess 32 need not be rightangular and, in fact, it isnot necessary for the recess 32 to be V-shaped or, for that matter, tobe centered with respect to the length of its respective inclined edge31. Disregarding the recesses 32, it will be seen that the layer 3 hasthe form of a truncated square, i.e., a square wherein the corners havebeen removed so as to form the edges 31 of the layer 3 which areparallel with the facets 12 of the layer 1, so that the layer 3 may beregarded as being substantially square-shaped. When so viewing the layer3, it is further seen that this layer is rotated 45 with respect to thelayer 1 about an axis common to the layers 1 and 3. Another manner ofviewing the layer 3 is to regard it as having the form of an octagon. Itis to be understood that the form of the layer 3 is not restricted tothat described and shown but may be varied as desired or required tosuit particular applications. Also, the edges 31 of the layer 3 whichare provided with the recess 32 need not be inclined with respect to thefacets 12 of the layer 1.

The layer is interposed between the layers 1 and 3 so that at leastportions of the layers 1 and 3 are spaced from one another. As explainedabove with reference to the layers 1 and 3, the layer 3 is sufficientlylarge to encompass the layer 5. Although the entire periphery 15 of thelayer 3 is shown as extending outwardly beyond the periphery or marginalportion 16 0f the layer 5, it is possible that only a part of the layer3 or, in other words, only a portion of the periphery 15 thereof,extends outwardly beyond the periphery 16 of the layer 5. The periphery16 of the layer Sincludes the facets, edge faces or borders 51 which areinwardly adjacent and substantially parallel to the inclined edges 31 oflayer 3. The borders 51 of the layer 5 are also inclined with respect tothe facets 12 of the layer 1. The borders 51 of the layer 5 are providedwith at least one coupling portion, here shown as a projection orprotuberance 52, which is adapted to cooperate with the couplingportion, i.e., recess 32, provided on the inclined edges 31 of the layer3. The projection 52 and its corresponding recess 32 are complementary.[n a preferred embodiment, as shown, the projection 52 is V-shaped andthe apex of the projection 52 is right-angular. Also, the projection 52is preferably centered with respect to the length of its respectiveborder 51. Again, the apex of the projection 52 need not beright-angular nor is it necessary for the projection 52 to be V-shapedor to be centered with respect to the length of its respective border 51so long as it can cooperate with a corresponding recess 32. Theprojections 52 impart a starshaped appearance to the layer 5. However,when the projections 52 are disregarded, it will be apparent that thelayer 5 is substantially square-shaped and that the layer 5 may beregarded as being rotated 45 with respect to the layer 1 about an axiscommon to the layers 1, 3 and 5. The shape of the layer 5 may be variedas desired or required but bearing in mind that the projections 52provided on the borders 51 of the layer 5 must be able to cooperate withcorresponding recesses 32 provided on the inclined edges 31 of the layer3.

As a result of the interposition of the layer 5 between the layers 1 and3, a slot or groove 2 is defined intermediate the layers 1 and 3 in theregion of the periphery 16 of the layer 5. Although the slot 2 is shownas surrounding the entire periphery 16 of the layer 5, the slot 2 needonly surround a portion of the periphery 16 of the layer 5. The width ofthe slot 2 should be at least equal to the thickness of the layer 3 and,preferably, the width of the slot 2 is approximately equal to thethickness of the layer 3. Thus, when two of the tiles 11 are assembled,it is merely necessary to insert the layer 3 of the one tile 11 into theslot 2 of the other tile 11. The thus-inserted layer 3 will then beadjacent to the layer 5 of the tile 11 into whichit is inserted so thatone of the inclined edges 31 of the inserted layer 3 faces one of theborders 51 of the adjacent layer 5. The recess 32 of the inserted layer3 can then mate with the projection 52 of the adjacent layer 5 so thatthe recess 32 of the inserted layer 3 and the projection 52 of theadjacent layer 5 are able to cooperate and inhibit movements of thetiles 11 in directions other than that to move the recess 32 of theinserted layer 3 and the projection 52 of the adjacent layer 5 apart. inthis manner, a precise positioning of the thus-assembled tiles 11 mayalways be guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment, the length of the inclined edge 31 of thelayer 3 is substantially equal to that of the inwardly adjacent border51 of the layer 5, although this is not necessary. Also, the lengths ofthe various edges 31 of the layer 3 may all be equal, as shown, or maydiffer, if so desired. The same holds true for the lengths of theborders 51 of the layer 5. It is also to be borne in mind that therecesses 32 and projections 52 may be reversed. In other words, therecesses 32 may be provided in the borders 51 of the layer 5 while theprojections 52 may be provided on the inclined edges 31 of the layer 3.It is, of course, also possible that some of the inclined edges 31 ofthe layer 3 are provided with recesses 32 while, simultaneously, otherinclined edges 31 of the layer 3 are provided with projections 52 solong as it is remembered that the recesses 32, and projections 52provided on the layer 3 must be able to cooperate with correspondingrecesses 32 and projections 52 which are provided on the layer 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the center portions of the layers 3 and 5 are cutout or removed or, in other words, are provided with an opening. Theopenings in the respective layers 3 and 5 at least partially overlap soas to define a cavity or passage 9 extending inwardly from the layer 3towards the layer 1. Although it is not essential for the invention tocut out the center portions of the layers 3 and 5, doing so results inconsiderable material savings. Furthermore, the weight of the tile 11 isthereby reduced and, in addition, the thus-formed cavity 9 improves theinsulating properties of the tile 11 so that a structure formed byassembling the tiles 11 provides good insulation, e.g., good heatretention and sound deadening. In fact, all of the material in thecenter portion of the layer 5 may be removed so that all that remains ofthe layer 5 is a circumferentially complete rim which, as shown here, isstar-shaped. As already indicated, it is not necessary to removematerial from the center portions of the layers 3 and 5 and, further,the amount of material removed may vary as desired or required for aparticular application. It is, of course, also possible to removematerial from the center portion of the layer 5 only or from the centerportion of the layer 3 only.

When the material in the center portions of the layers 3 and 5 isremoved so as to define the cavity 9, it is desirable to provide aprotuberance or support member 10 in the cavity 9. The protuberance 10is here shown as extending outwardly through the cavity 9 from thelayer 1. In this embodiment shown, the protuberance 10 is located at thecenter of the tile 11 and, preferably, the length of the protuberance 10is substantially equal to the depth of the cavity 9. However, it is notnecessary for the protuberance 10 to have a length which isapproximately equal to the depth of the cavity 9 and the primaryrequirement for the protuberance 10 is that the exposed face 17 thereofbe located in substantially the same plane as the outer surface 18 ofthe layer 3. It is to be noted that the depth of the cavity 9 is equalto the distance between the outer surface 18 of the layer 3 and theinner surface 19 of the layer 1. The protuberance 10 may be connectedwith the layer 1 and extend outwardly therefrom or may be fixed to thetile 11 in any other suitable manner.

The purpose of the protuberance 10 is most easily apparent from FIGS. 3and 4. FIG. 3 is a top view of an assembly of five tiles 11 made andassembled in accordance with the invention and FIG. 4. is a view alongthe section lVlV of FIG. 3. Four tiles 11 are shown as being assembledwith a similar fifth tile (here denoted by 11A for clarity) in the samemanner as described earlier. The outer surfaces 18 of the layers 3 inthe tiles 11 are all located inthe same plane and the outer surface 18Aof the layer 3A in the tile 11A is adjacent to those of the tiles 11.The outer surfaces 20 of the layers 1 in the tiles 11 are also alllocated in the same plane. As is seen, the protuberance 10 of the tiles11 are so positioned that the corners 13A of the layer 1A in the tilellA partly overlap the exposed faces 17 of the respective protuberances10. Thus, the protuberances 10 support the corners 13A of the tile 11Aand prevent these corners from being forced into the cavity 9. This isespecially important when the tiles 11 are made of brittle materialswhich are not capable of withstanding large amounts of bending. Althoughthe protuberances 10 have been shown and described as being located atthe centers of the respective tiles 11, this is not necessary. Forexample, more than one protuberance 10 may be provided in each tile 11,the various protuberances 10 in each tile 11 being off-center withrespect to the tile 11. Also, if the shapes of the layers 1 of the tilesII are different than shown, then it may become necessary to shift theprotuberances 10 with respect to the centers of their respective tiles11 in order that they may be properly positioned so as to support thecorners 13 of an overlying tile 11.

Various modifications of the invention are possible. The layers 1 and 3need not be of equal thickness. It is also contemplated to provide acavity in the layer 1 intermediate the major surfaces thereof. Such acavity would serve to improve the insulating properties of the layer 1and of the tile 11 as a whole. The cavity may be machined in the layer 1or the layer 1 may include two overlying plate-like portions spaced fromone another so as to define a cavity therebetween. In the latter case,the plate-like portions may be connected with each other in any suitablemanner, a preferred method being to connect only the corner areas of theplate-like portions by means of appropriate connecting members, forexample, triangular connecting members or inserts located in the regionsof the corners of the plate-like portions. The cavity may be partiallyor entirely enclosed and, if desired, may be filled with a suitablesubstance, such as cement, before or after assembly of the tiles 11. Avery advantageous modification in this regard, especially where thetiles 11 are used to form a structure which is to be self-supporting, isto provide a metal reinforcing member in the cavity, the particularmetal to be used depending upon weight considerations and otherconsiderations such as the load to be borne by the structure. A suitablereinforcing member may be made of structural steel, for example.

It is further contemplated to use the tiles 11 for making arcuatestructures. In such a case, the individual tiles 11 may be arcuate.

The tiles 11 may be made of any conventional structural materials suchas metals, plastics and the like. Another suitable material is cementsuch as, for example, porous cement or asbestos cement. Furthermore, thetiles 11 may be provided with a protective covering of weather-resistantmaterial. In addition, the tiles 11 may be provided with a middle layerof insulating material for deadening sound and/or for the purpose ofheat insulation. Of course, such insulating material may also beprovided in the cavity or cavities of the tile 11 when the tile 11includes such a cavity or cavities. The dimensions of the tiles 11 maybe varied as desired or as required to suit particular applications. Itis selfunderstood that the tiles 11 of the invention may serve equallywell as toys.

In summary, walls, wall coverings, ceilings, ceiling coverings and thelike made from tiles in accordance with the invention are very stableand possess high strength and, further, the structures made from thesetiles have smooth and even outer surfaces on both sides. In many cases,the structures assembled from the tiles of the invention require noafter-treatment. The tiles of the invention may also be used for makingarcuate structures, such as arcuate ceiling coverings, in which case thetiles themselves may have a form which describes a portion of an arc.Furthermore, the structures made from the tiles of the invention areselfsupporting over relatively large span widths and lengths so that inmany cases no special support assembly for these structures is required.For larger span widths and lengths, the support assemblies required forthese structures are much less complicated and much cheaper tomanufacture than those required heretofore. The sealing of the joints ofsuch structures may be accomplished by using conventional sealing bandsor strips of elastic material which may, for example, be welded to thestructure at the areas where the corners of adjacent tiles meet. Also,no special connecting devices are required for assembling the tiles.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions and assemblies differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and y described as embodied ina tile, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a tile assembly, a combination comprising at least three identicaltiles, each of said tiles being composed of three superimposed andinterconnected layers, the first and second layers of each respectivetile surrounding the third layer thereof and having portions extendingoutwardly beyond the latter so that said three layers of the respectivetile define with one another a slot having a width approximating thethickness of said second layer, each respective layer being composed offour quarter-sections of predetermined shapes, the shape of thequarter-section of said second layer substantially corresponding to theshape of said portion of said first layer which extends outwardly beyondsaid third layer, said first layer having an exposed surface and acircumferential surface bounding said exposed surface, a first and asecond of said tiles being situatcd adjacent to'one another so that therespective circumferential surfaces of said first and second tiles abutone another and said exposed surfaces thereof face in one direction, thethird tile being interfitted with said two tiles so that said exposedsurface thereof faces in the opposite direction, one quarter-section ofsaid third tile being interfitted with a quarter-section of said firsttile and another quarter-section of said third tile being interfittedwith a quarter-section of said second tile so that the respectivequarter-sections of said second layer of said third tile extend into theassociated slots of said first and second tiles and engage theassociated quarter-sections of said third layers thereof and vice versa,whereby a four-layer structure is obtained, two outer layers of saidstructure being formed exclusively by the first layers of the respectivetiles and the two inner layers being formed by the interfitting secondand third layers thereof, said first and second tiles restraining saidthird tile during the assembling and disassembling of the tile assemblyto movement in only one predetermined direction parallel to said exposedsurface.

2. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein each tile has a peripheralportion which includes at least one edge face located inwardly of theoutwardly extending portion of said first layer, said marginal zoneincludes at least one edge face located inwardly ofthe outwardlyextending portion of said second layer, and one of said couplingportions comprises at least one projection provided on one of said facesand the other of said coupling portions comprises at least onecomplementary recess provided in the other of said faces.

3. The tiles as defined in claim 2, wherein said projection and recessare each V-shaped, the respective apexes of said projection and recessbeing rightangular.

4. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said first layer has apolygonal outline and includes a plurality of facets meeting at thecorners thereof, said peripheral portion includes a plurality of edgefaces at least some of which are inwardly adjacent to said corners, andsaid marginal zone includes a plurality of edge faces inwardly adjacentand substantially parallel to said some edge faces.

5. The tiles as defined in claim 4, wherein said some edge faces of saidperipheral portion are provided with at least one of said couplingportions and said edge faces of said marginal zone are provided with atleast one coupling portion adapted to cooperate with the couplingportion provided on said edge faces of said peripheral portion.

6. The tiles as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said couplingportions is centered with respect to the length of its respective edgeface.

7. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said second and third layerseach have a center portion provided with an opening, said openings atleast partially overlapping so as to define a cavity extending inwardlyfrom said second layer towards said first layer.

8. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said first layer includes atleast one corner portion and said second layer has an outer surfacefacing away from said first layer; and further comprising at least onesupport member in said cavity having an exposed face, said exposed facebeing located in substantially the same plane as said outer surface andbeing effective for supporting the corner portion when the tile isassembled with another similar tile so that the corner portion of onetile overlies the cavity of the other tile.

9. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said second layer has asubstantially square-shaped outline rotated 45 with respect to saidfirst layer about an axis common to all of said layers.

10. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said slot completelysurrounds said marginal zone.

1. In a tile assembly, a combination comprising at least three identicaltiles, each of said tiles being composed of three superimposed andinterconnected layers, the first and second layers of each respectivetile surrounding the third layer thereof and having portions extendingoutwardly beyond the latter so that said three layers of the respectivetile define with one another a sloT having a width approximating thethickness of said second layer, each respective layer being composed offour quarter-sections of predetermined shapes, the shape of thequarter-section of said second layer substantially corresponding to theshape of said portion of said first layer which extends outwardly beyondsaid third layer, said first layer having an exposed surface and acircumferential surface bounding said exposed surface, a first and asecond of said tiles being situated adjacent to one another so that therespective circumferential surfaces of said first and second tiles abutone another and said exposed surfaces thereof face in one direction, thethird tile being interfitted with said two tiles so that said exposedsurface thereof faces in the opposite direction, one quarter-section ofsaid third tile being interfitted with a quarter-section of said firsttile and another quarter-section of said third tile being interfittedwith a quarter-section of said second tile so that the respectivequarter-sections of said second layer of said third tile extend into theassociated slots of said first and second tiles and engage theassociated quartersections of said third layers thereof and vice versa,whereby a four-layer structure is obtained, two outer layers of saidstructure being formed exclusively by the first layers of the respectivetiles and the two inner layers being formed by the interfitting secondand third layers thereof, said first and second tiles restraining saidthird tile during the assembling and disassembling of the tile assemblyto movement in only one predetermined direction parallel to said exposedsurface.
 2. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein each tile has aperipheral portion which includes at least one edge face locatedinwardly of the outwardly extending portion of said first layer, saidmarginal zone includes at least one edge face located inwardly of theoutwardly extending portion of said second layer, and one of saidcoupling portions comprises at least one projection provided on one ofsaid faces and the other of said coupling portions comprises at leastone complementary recess provided in the other of said faces.
 3. Thetiles as defined in claim 2, wherein said projection and recess are eachV-shaped, the respective apexes of said projection and recess beingright-angular.
 4. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said firstlayer has a polygonal outline and includes a plurality of facets meetingat the corners thereof, said peripheral portion includes a plurality ofedge faces at least some of which are inwardly adjacent to said corners,and said marginal zone includes a plurality of edge faces inwardlyadjacent and substantially parallel to said some edge faces.
 5. Thetiles as defined in claim 4, wherein said some edge faces of saidperipheral portion are provided with at least one of said couplingportions and said edge faces of said marginal zone are provided with atleast one coupling portion adapted to cooperate with the couplingportion provided on said edge faces of said peripheral portion.
 6. Thetiles as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said coupling portions iscentered with respect to the length of its respective edge face.
 7. Thetiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said second and third layers eachhave a center portion provided with an opening, said openings at leastpartially overlapping so as to define a cavity extending inwardly fromsaid second layer towards said first layer.
 8. The tiles as defined inclaim 1, wherein said first layer includes at least one corner portionand said second layer has an outer surface facing away from said firstlayer; and further comprising at least one support member in said cavityhaving an exposed face, said exposed face being located in substantiallythe same plane as said outer surface and being effective for supportingthe corner portion when the tile is assembled with another similar tileso that the corner portion of one tile ovErlies the cavity of the othertile.
 9. The tiles as defined in claim 1, wherein said second layer hasa substantially square-shaped outline rotated 45* with respect to saidfirst layer about an axis common to all of said layers.
 10. The tiles asdefined in claim 1, wherein said slot completely surrounds said marginalzone.